Damian Browne is a former professional rugby player turned extreme adventurer and motivational speaker. Hailing from Galway, Ireland, Damian spent 16 years battling on the rugby pitches of Europe, representing elite teams such as Northampton Saints and Leinster, where he won the prestigious Heineken Cup. After retiring from rugby due to injury, Damian embarked on a series of extraordinary adventures, testing the limits of human endurance and resilience.
His adventures include completing the grueling 257km Marathon des Sables across the Sahara Desert and climbing five of the Seven Summits, which are among the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. In 2018, Damian rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean, enduring 63 days of extreme conditions, and in 2022, he became the first person to row from New York to Galway, a journey that took 112 days.
Damian’s relentless pursuit of his human potential and his philosophy of living a “crucible life” have made him a sought-after speaker. He has shared his story and insights with multinational corporations, tech giants, and world-class sports teams, including NFL teams and International Rugby XVs
He’s spoken at companies such as Facebook and EY , has given a TEDX Talk entitled ‘The hidden values in pushing your body to its limit’ and had the honour to address the Irish Rugby XV in the build up to their historic victory over the New Zealand All Blacks in Dublin, November 2018.
Notable Achievements:
- Completed the Marathon des Sables, a 257km ultra-marathon across the Sahara Desert.
- Climbed five of the Seven Summits, including Mount Kilimanjaro and Mont Blanc.
- Successfully rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean, becoming the first person to row from New York to Galway.
To book Former Rugby Player, Extreme Adventurer & Speaker Damian Browne for your event, contact Front Row Speakers on +353 1 485 3991 or email welcome@frontrowspeakers.com.
- Resilience and Mental Toughness: Drawing from his experiences in extreme environments, Damian shares strategies to build mental resilience and overcome significant challenges.
- High Performance: Insights into achieving and maintaining peak performance, both individually and within teams, gleaned from his career in professional sports and extreme adventures.
- Extreme Challenges: A recount of his incredible adventures, including the physical and mental demands of solo ocean rowing and high-altitude mountaineering.
- Drive and Perseverance: Stories and lessons on the importance of perseverance and maintaining drive in the face of adversity.
- Responsibility and Ownership: The importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions and decisions, and how this mindset can lead to personal and professional growth.
Media and Speaking Engagements:
- Delivered a TEDx Talk titled “The hidden values in pushing your body to its limits.”
- Engaged with multinational corporations such as Facebook and EY.
- Addressed the Irish Rugby XV before their historic victory over the New Zealand All Blacks.
Quotes: “I don’t have any other goal when I speak, other than to be honest, authentic and present. I try and recall situations and experiences I have lived during my extreme challenges and adventures, through how I felt at that time, because being able to communicate those genuine emotions through one’s voice is what will have an effect on the listener.” – Damian Browne
”Damian spoke to the players and staff the week of the All Blacks test match in Dublin last November. Using footage from his Atlantic Row, he brought us along on his gruelling journey. Describing the many challenges that he faced, Damian also shared the mental strategies and processes he used, which helped him to get to the other side. The players were engaged throughout and it was plain to see that they were impressed by the will and determination shown by Damian. The players were in the midst of preparation to play the world’s number one rugby team so we were hoping for some of that determination to stick.”
-Joe Schmidt, Ireland Rugby Coach
Please note this form is intended for Corporate Speaking and Commercial enquiries only. Due to the volume of emails we receive on a daily basis, we regret that we are unable to respond to specific requests from charities, schools, clubs or individuals.
